VIP Central

Archive for the 'USB' Category

We recently published the VIP Newsletter for Apr 2019, containing trending topics, leading solutions, in depth technical articles, videos, webinars, and updates on next generation protocols. In case you missed the latest buzz on Verification IP, you can read it here.

The most awaited news of the year is officially here! USB Promoter Group has officially announced USB4 specification, which is an extensive upgrade over USB 3.2 specification. The new specification guarantees double the speed of USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, and has built in Thunderbolt™ 3 compatibility. The official specification release is expected by mid-2019.

We recently published the VIP Newsletter for Q3 2018, containing trending topics, leading solutions, in depth technical articles, videos, webinars, and updates on next generation protocols. The newsletter covers content on DFI 5.0 for DDR5/LPDDR5, NVMe 1.3, USB 3.2, PCIe 5.0, next generation gaming displays, MIPI CSI-2 v2.1 for Automotive and IoT, and Verdi performance analyzer and protocol debug. In case you missed the latest buzz on Verification IP, you can read it here.

Debugging the complex serial protocols is the biggest challenge verification engineers face. It’s one of the most time and effort consuming activity affecting the schedule of every project. Traditional debug methodologies use a combination of loosely connected waveforms, log files, messages, and documentation, which are insufficient for productive debugging. Debugging SoC and block level issues using log files is tedious and time consuming. Design problems that appear in the later phases of the development cycle can be extremely difficult to track down and debug, thus putting project schedules at risk.

In mid-2014, the USB Type-C standard was announced, which provided a thinner, reversible connector and ever evolving ecosystem of new platforms like MHL, DisplayPort, HDMI, and Thunderbolt over Type-C. USB Type-C is quickly being integrated into most high end and newly-released mid-range smart phones offering the reversible Type-C connector. It is also becoming the connector of choice for IoT, display, gaming, and other emerging applications. Synopsys’ Subsystem Verification Solution for USB Type-C™ is rapidly being adopted by customers. Read more about the adoption of Synopsys’ USB Type-C Subsystem Verification Solution by ASIX.

In our previous blog, “Ever Wonder How USB Type-C Works”, one of the paramount features we discussed was the Type-C connector being used with third party peripherals in-addition to USB. The mode in which the Type-C cable assembly facilitates operation of “Alternate” protocols is called Alternate Mode. USB Type-C Alternate Mode specification allows MHL, DisplayPort, HDMI, and Thunderbolt over Type-C. Alternate Mode is an option made available to the USB Hosts; however, USB should be the preeminent interface to be exposed over Type-C assembly, justifying the tag ‘Alternate’.

In our previous Type-C blog – What’s New with USB TYPE-C, we looked at why Type-C is the next-generation adaptor, which is thinner with multipurpose capabilities, making it quite handy to the end consumer. Along with fulfilling the power/charging abilities, it intends to proxy several cable plugs like VGA, HDMI, beefy USB Type-A connector, etc. Predominant responsibility of Type-C connector is supplying/sourcing current and data transmission and reception. Ever wonder how does this dynamic connector work?

The everlasting presence of the USB interface is evident with close to 5+ billion USB devices shipped each year. USB has always been the cornerstone of the consumer electronics market. USB Type-A and Type-B cables, interface and connectors have been ubiquitous on variety of devices – smartphones, PCs, video games, power backups, and automotive etc. With the technology always pushing towards better, thinner and power efficient devices, the native cable assemblies have been the bottleneck to innovation in this space. Limitations of native USB standard were so obvious that competitors like thunderbolt were always around the corner ready to get a slice of the massive USB market. In mid-2014, the USB Type-C standard was announced, which provided the ever evolving ecosystem of new platforms with existing benefits of USB standard (2.0, Gen1, Gen2).

SoC being designed today are getting complex day by day and verification complexity increases exponentially not only due to the complexity of design but also due to the complexity of protocols. Emerging new protocols make it further difficult due to steep learning curve. Writing test cases to cover the entire protocol becomes 3-4 man year job for complex protocols like USB, PCIe, and Ethernet etc. Synopsys provides System Verilog/UVM source code test suites to verify complex protocols. Source code is provided and tests can be extended, and customized easily. You can save the efforts and time by using Synopsys test suites to jump start verification and achieve accelerated coverage closure. In this blog, we will give an overview of the USB test suite focusing on ease of integration and use.

A global team of protocol experts that share their insights and technical expertise in the areas of Automotive, DRAM and Flash Memories, Storage, Display, MIPI, AMBA, Ethernet, PCIe, USB and many other bus and interface protocols. This comprehensive team participates in standards committees and will provide the latest information and updates as it relates to your future design considerations.